Chemonics International Inc. seeks an experienced professional to undertake the role of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer for an anticipated DFID-funded, Pakistan Delivering Accelerated Family Planning Behaviour Change Communication (DAFPAK BCC) programme. The £13m UK Government Department for International Development (DFID) Programme seeks to target many of the barriers to using modern family planning methods. It will comprise multi-channel, multi-message, tailored approach to change attitudes and behaviours, targeting a broad range of stakeholders and incorporating cost effective strategies such as use of positive deviants. The specific approaches will be informed by research funded by this programme early in its implementation. Messages will be integrated into all opportunities for face-to-face communication at the household and community level to overcome remaining individual-level and community-wide barriers where there is unmet need, linked to nearby supported social franchisees or mobile outreach. These messages will address acceptability and desired fertility, myths and misconceptions, health concerns, influence of mothers-in-law and husbands, and spousal communication, as well as access barriers through knowledge of service availability.

Job Description:

The MERL Officer will work closely with the Team Lead and oversee all programmatic monitoring, evaluation, research and learning initiatives. Close collaboration with and demand driven technical assistance to the Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Population and Ministry of Health representatives, other DAFPAK Component Teams, and other key stakeholders across the health and family planning sector will be required. The MER Officer’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Support the Team Leader to develop and implement key management systems that will support project planning, reporting, and performance management.

Oversee MERL institutional partners/contractors and review all work for quality and accuracy.

Lead all efforts to respond to requests for MERL support from DAFPAK stakeholders and implementing partners.

Help design/review MERL questionnaires and surveys and lead IRB review process, when necessary. Help support and oversee implementation and data collection related to behaviour change projects with relevancy to modern family planning needs and identifying barriers to usage.

Quantify/operationalize research related to family planning needs and prepare reports to disseminate research results.

Help maintain and revise the MERL plan and performance indicators, including adapting to feedback loops.

Support and/or deliver training to project staff on the MERL and context monitoring, and how to collect the needed data from the partners.

Help collect and report quarterly M&E data to technical staff and to the Team Leader and Operations and Compliance Officer for quarterly reporting; help draft and produce all quarterly and annual progress reports.

Build strong working relationships with the DFID Mission and project partners.

Conduct data verification and quality control exercises.

Help manage the repository of tools, guidelines, and references for MERL.

Work with media and the community outreach officer team to ensure that subcontract performance management plans (PMPs) are in line with DAFPAK BCC’s overall MER plan and contribute the necessary data.

Support the project’s communications efforts, including the production of lessons learned, best practices, and other materials.

Perform other tasks assigned by the Team Lead or senior management team.

Job Specifications:

Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience.

Demonstrated knowledge of DFID M&E indicators, approaches, and requirements, with at least three (3) years of experience working with M&E systems for behavior change programs, preferably DFID.